Building structure



Sept. 1,-1964 .1-1. SHORT ETAL BUILDING STRUCTURE R m 1 N t E w z w h l Qu k u a a m s 2 T M 2 2 W Hp w E PM! Y A Filed NOV. 16, 1959 ROBERT J.WALKER DONALD H.5HORT BY Q" ATTORNEYS Sept. 1, 1964 D. H. SHORT ETAL 3,146,497

BUILDING STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 16, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E g. 6 0 Ag. 60 E 56 nW J A wp T 'n INVENTOR ROBERT J.WALKER =1 L fi T DONALD H.5HORT ATTORNEY 5 United States Patent 3,146,497 BUILDING STRUCTURE Donald H. Short, 1851 San Antonio Ave, and Robert J. Walker, 1530 Campus Drive, both of Berkeley, Calif. Filed Nov. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 853,408 1 Claim. (Cl. 20-2) This invention relates to a building structure; to the components from which it may be constructed; and to the method by which such components are assembled. While the building structure of this invention is of general application, it is particularly adapted for small scale buildings such as doll houses.

Heretofore, mass production of standardized building components which are designed to be rapidly assembled at the building site has not proven to be commercially practical, primarily because of the desire for satisfaction of individual tastes. Wall sections of standard size generally had to be assembled in a predetermined way in order to insure that opposing walls would balance and that there would be no gaps or overlap in the complete enclosure. The strict requirement of assembly procedure for a given kit of components precluded any departure from established construction plans and, hence, prevented the exercise of individuality. Consequently, there exists a need for modular building components which may be arranged and assembled in a variety of ways into a complete building structure without requiring compensating spacers or the like. Further, there is a potential demand among architects and their clientele, as well as among children, for miniature or toy buildings that can similarly be assembled easily and rigidly into a variety of building types and shapes.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an array of building components of various standardized sizes which will alford greater selectivity and simplicity in construction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an array of structural building components bearing predetermined dimensional relationships to each other so as to make possible the assembly of various combinations of components into walls of selected dimensions.

It is a further object of this invention to provide building wall components that may be assembled extemporaneously without danger of overlap, hiatus or unbalance in the completed structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an assembly of building components that can be manufactured inexpensively and assembled easily.

The basic components making up the building structure of this invention comprise wall panels and connector columns or posts which are arranged alternately when making up the wall structure. The panels are of uniform effective thickness in that their opposite side margin portions are of the same thickness, and the connectors have equal square basic cross-sections with the width of each and every side being equal to the effective thickness of the panels. Thus, a connector may be placed intermediate two adjacent panels so that the sides of the wall panels will be flush with, and form a continuation of, the corresponding opposite sides of the columns. Interengaging coupling elements are carried respectively along the edges of the panels and along the sides of the columns so that each column may function as a coupling between adjacent panels to unify and rigidity the assembled structure. All of the columns may have four coupling elements, i.e. one along each side, to connect two, three or four intersecting walls, or a variety of column types may be provided, each designed to complete a specific type of joint. That is, some may have interlock elements along two sides, either adjacent or opposite, so that they may be used selectively to join aligned or intersecting walls, while others have interlock elements on three or on all four sides so that they may be used to unite three or four intersecting walls, respectively.

The broad selectivity in arranging the wall panels without risk of wall overlap or hiatus is enabled by the novel size relationship each panel bears to all others. Specifically, each panel is of a width such that when joined to a coupling column the complete unit, i.e. one panel and one column is of some standard width or a multiple thereof. Thus, different numbers and sizes of panels may be used to produce walls of a given length and since a connecting column is part of every standard unit, columns of different types may be selected to form intersecting walls or corners without deviating from a standard size. Thus, the complete Wall enclosure can always be closed precisely by panel sections totalling a multiple of the basic section width.

This size standardization and interchangeability of parts promotes versatility and creativeness in assembly and in special applications used by children permits freedom of expression without the impediment of complicated assembly instructions.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the specification following when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a partially constructed building erected in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of building components of this invention showing the dimensional relationship thereof;

FIGS. 3a to 3e are plan views of various connector posts utilized in and constituting a part of this invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b are front and side views, respectively of an alternate form of wall panel;

FIGS. 5a to 52 are plan views of connector posts used in connection with the wall panel of FIGS. 4a and 412;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of alternate forms of panel and post showing the dimensional relationship thereof; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are fragmentary plan views of interlocking panels and posts in still another embodiment thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown a partially constructed building including a plurality of groups of wall panels 1, 2 and 3 of different selected widths or in other words horizontal lengths with reference to the upright position of the panels, and bearing a specific relationship to each other, as hereinafter described. For purposes of illustration, only the three different sizes are shown but it is to be understood that any number of panel sizes may be employed within the limits to be defined. Certain of the panels are plain and imperforate, while others have door openings 4 or window frames 5 therein. Of course, many other refinements are possible, such as glass or plastic windows, screens or hinged doors in the openings provided therefor, and the panels themselves may be of various materials and structure, but this invention is particularly concerned with the structural relationship between the various panels and their connecting columns.

Disposed alternately between each adjacent pair of panels 1, 2 and 3 are connecting columns or posts 6, all of which have a square basic cross-section and all are of the same width. Each supporting post 6 has a coupling element thereon adapted to engage a complementary accommodating coupling element on the side edge of an adjacent panel. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the coupling elements comprise one or more tongues 8 protruding from the sides of the connecting columns 6 and extending along the height thereof. Complementary grooves 9 are formed in the side edges of the panels to accommodate the tongues and provide a positive joint therewith. Preferably, the tongues are received in the grooves in a snug fit so that a certain amount of resistance to separation is realized, but it is of course understood that the joint may be strengthened by use of glue, nail-s or the like. In order to provide flexibility of construction, the columns 6 are formed with different numbers of tongues arranged along various sides so that adjacent pairs of panels may be joined in varying relationships. For example, a trim meber 6a having just one coupling tongue 8 (FIG. 3a) is adapted to finish out the end or top of a grooved wall panel and present three smooth sides. The various columns 6 (FIGS. 1 and 3) may have a pair of tongues 8 on opposite sides, as shown at 6b, to couple two adjacent panels associated in alignment or on adjacent sides, as in 60 to couple intersecting wall panels. Posts are also provided with three (6d) and four (62) tongues adapting them for utility as a joint between three or four intersecting Wall panels. Of course, if desired, the four-way coupling 6e may be used throughout where the protrusion of the coupling tongues 8 is no particular disadvantage.

While, as heretofore stated, the Wall panels 1, 2 and 3 are of different selected sizes, all bear a specific size relationship to each other. First, all panels and all columns 6 are preferably of the same uniform effective thickness T (FIG. 2), particularly at the coupling joint, so that the sides of the connector posts 6 will be flush with, and form a continuation of, the wall panels connected thereto whether the panels are arranged in alignment or are intersecting.

Throughout the wall construction, the panels 1, 2 and 3 and columns 6 are assembled alternately with a con necting post being disposed between every aligned or intersecting pair of panels. Since a post is connected at the end of each panel the two components together may be regarded as a complete wall panel assembly unit. Significantly, the widths, i.e. horizontal length, of all such complete units are multiples of a basic dimension so that all complete walls will be of lengths likewise constituting multiples of the basic dimension. Consequently, various combinations of wall panel unit sizes may be joined in alignment to produce a building wall of a given length. Moreover, since all of the connecting posts have the same basic width T any of the four connecting colunms 6b to 62 may be connected between a pair of aligned wall panels and even an intersecting wall may be extended therefrom without in any way altering the over-all length of the wall. Hence, intersecting walls or corners may be installed at the end of any wall panel, completely at the builders option without concern that wall lengths will be varied, thereby requiring use of compensating spacers.

Not only are the coupling columns 6 of the same basic width T, regardless of the number of interlock elements 8 thereon, but the widths 'or horizontal lengths wp of the panels bear a specific relationship to each other. In order to provide wall panel assembly units of various widths nW, the width of each wall panel wp is such that the total width of the panel and column together in a panel assembly unit (wp-j-T) is equal to a multiple of a basic dimension. Since the wall panels 1, 2 and 3 are preferably equal in effective thickness to the width of the columns, the total width can be expressed with reference to the panels alone, i.e. its width plus its effective thickness or one-half of its horizontal perimeter. In either event the total panel unit width wp+T may be expressed algebraically by the symbol nW where W is a fixed basic dimension and n is a multiplier. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the smallest wall section unit may be of the basic Width W with the multiplier 11 being unity (11:1). Since the post 6 is of a width T, the smallest panel 1 is of a width W-T (wp =WT). The next larger wall panel 2 may be of a width 2W-T (wp =2WT) so that the wall section unit including a connector post 6 is of a width 2W. Similarly, the largest panel 3 shown may have a width 3WT to be assembled into a panel unit 3W. As previously pointed out, other panels may be formed to produce panel units of width /2W, or four or more times the basic width. The simplicity and accuracy with which this scheme is carried out can be appreciated from FIG. 1 wherein wall panels 1 and 2 aligned on one side of the building with two connecting posts 6 are the same size as the single large wall panel 3 with its adjacent post on the opposite side.

While the description thus far has related only to wall panels and their interconnecting columns, it is apparent that similar coupling members 16 may be provided to interlock with a groove along the bottom edges of the assembled wall panels 1, 2 and 3 and thence with a similarly grooved floor panel 11 to complete the structure. For purposes of clarity, no groove has been shown along the top edges of the wall panels 1, 2 and 3, but it is equally obvious that such grooves may be provided so as to connect a roof or the vertical wall and horizontal floor panels of a second story.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 there is shown a second embodiment of this invention wherein the wall panel 15 has a tongue 16 extending along each side edge 15a thereof. To accommodate such protrusion, the connecting columns 17a through 17a have complementary grooves 18 therein. In order to enhance the strength of the structure each groove 18 may be offset from the center line of the side in which it is joined and the tongues 16 on the panel edges 15a are offset accordingly. Again, each post is basically of square cross-section with all sides being of equal width T, and the width of each panel wp is of such size (nW-T) that the complete wall section assembly unit consisting of a panel 15 and a post 17 is a multiple of a fixed basic dimension nW.

FIG. 7 shows the interlocking joints between the panels 21 and post 22 of still another embodiment of this invention wherein the tongues 23 are of rounded dowel-like configuration added to engage positively in complementary grooves 24 against lateral displacement. The interlock members may be rigid so that the panels 21 and columns 22 are alternately slid into place or they may be of flexible resilient plastic so that the components are snapped into place, effectively locking them together. A similar embodiment is shown in FIG. 8 wherein the tongues 23a on the panels 21a are of spear-like cross-section and the complementary grooves 24a in the interlock columns 22a are shaped correspondingly.

While it is shown specifically in FIG. 8 it is to be understood that in any of the embodiments shown, all of the connecting columns may be formed with coupling elements on all four sides. Of course, when only two panels are joined as shown in FIG. 8, two of the grooves 24a will be exposed but where appearance is significant an outer surface covering 26 of plastic, paper, fabric or the like may be applied over the panel to extend over and cover the groove 24a.

While this invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent that modifications and changes therein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention which should be limited only by the claim appended hereto.

What is claimed as invention is:

A building structure which includes both interior and exterior interconnected walls; said building structure being assembled from individual separable components comprising groups of wall panels in which the panels of all said groups are of substantially uniform effective thickness, the respective panels of each group being of substantially the same horizontal length with respect to each other with reference to the upright position of the panels, and the panels of the respective groups being of different horizontal lengths relative to the panels of the other groups; and a plurality of columns for connecting together adjacent panels in said assembled structure; all said panels and columns having cooperable coupling elements on edges thereof for interconnecting the same in said assembled structure to provide both interior and exterior walls, all of said columns being of the same basic square shape along a horizontal section in the upright position of the columns with the length of a side of the square being substantially equal to the effective thickness of the panels of said groups, the length of the side of said square being dissimilar from the horizontal lengths of the panels of said groups, the horizontal length of each panel of the group of panels which have the smallest horizontal length exceeding the length of the side of said square, the horizontal length plus the effective thickness of each of such smallest panels defining a basic dimension, the combined horizontal length of a column united with a panel of any said groups being a whole multiple of said basic dimension and the respective horizontal lengths of the panels of said groups without a column attached being nonwhole-multiples of said basic dimension; said panels and columns being interconnected in said assembled building structure to define both interior and exterior intersecting walls with a coiumn interposed between and interconnecting adjacent panels of such walls whereby the necessity of utilizing filler panels of random horizontal lengths to compensate for the inclusion of such interior walls in said structure is precluded, the adjacent upright corner edges of intersecting panels in said assembled structure structure defined by such intersecting panels.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Monroe Jan. 26, Baron July 22, Fisher May 6, Kohler Mar. 26, Alcott May 14, Waugh Aug. 24, Wich Mar. 12, Parsons June 11, Muller Sept. 9, Zirinsky Dec. 7, Wheat Aug. 27, Wachsmann Sept. 2, Osborn Jan. 31, Couse Dec. 30, Paulson Jan. 17,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Nov. 7, Germany Jan. 10, Germany Aug. 21,

said 

